MORATA MAKES CAPITAL U-TURN
ALVARO MORATA has pledged his future to Chelsea for the next decade in a bid to allay fears he is not keen on life in London. Speaking in Italy yesterday, where he starred for two years at Juventus, the striker had to backtrack furiously on an interview published in La Gazzetta dello Sport. The Spaniard was quoted as saying ahead of tonight’s Champions League tie against Roma: ‘London fascinates me with its multi-ethnicity, the coexistence of cultures and religions, but I do not see myself living here for very long.’ He said it was ‘too big’ with ‘too much stress’ and claimed Italy was ‘the best place to live’, stating he never wanted to leave Juve when Real Madrid activated a buy-back clause in his contract in 2016. However, Morata, who signed a five-year contract with Chelsea when he arrived from Madrid in July, had changed his tune yesterday. ‘I am happy with the club and the city, and with everything in London,’ he insisted. ‘If I make good and improve, probably I can stay here for more than five years. If Chelsea proposed me ten years, I’d probably sign that, too. But I need to score many goals. Otherwise, Chelsea will buy another player.’ Morata put the whole episode down to ‘a communication problem’ while Chelsea manager Antonio Conte said: ‘Alvaro is a good person. He is enjoying his time in London and enjoying playing with Chelsea.’ Chelsea are two points clear of Roma at the top of Group C after a 3-3 draw between the teams at Stamford Bridge two weeks ago. ‘To stay top of the group is very important,’ said Conte. ‘We are trying to face all competitions this season.’ N’Golo Kante has been back in training and travelled with the squad to Rome, but Conte is also wary of Sunday’s clash against Manchester United in the Premier League.